Our take
What does So First smell like?
First turned forty in 2016. Van Cleef & Arpels asked Nathalie Lorson to revisit Jean-Claude Ellena’s 1976 aldehydic floral, and the result was called So First. The opening is clean. Crisp bergamot comes first, then a lemony magnolia that leads into the flowers. The heart gets bigger. Frangipani brings its thick petal roundness, freesia lightens things and jasmine adds a little flesh. Picture a white bouquet set on a marble table. The base slides into soft vanilla, and sandalwood makes it smoother and slightly milky. There is a gourmand hint, though it stays restrained enough to read as polished. Set next to First, So First feels far more modern and far less aldehydic. The soapy sparkle of the original is gone. In its place sits a floral cream that comforts more than it surprises.
When to wear it
Good for spring and autumn days, at the office or over lunch. Two sprays on the wrists will do, the vanilla takes care of the rest.
It belongs to the Floral family. So First is one of 20 creations by Van Cleef & Arpels in our encyclopedia.